EXTENSION CORNER: Addressing hormone myths in food production

By Amy BurgessSpecial to The Times

Wednesday

Nov 13, 2013 at 6:18 PMNov 13, 2013 at 6:22 PM

During the past few weeks, several 4-H livestock projects have either ended for the year or have started.

During the past few weeks, several 4-H livestock projects have either ended for the year or have started. The 4-H Chick Chain project ended in September with the celebration of the hard work of many area 4-H members and with the addition of many new laying hens to area flocks. Also, the Etowah County 4-H County Steer and Heifer show took place last weekend, and the 2014 4-H Pig Squeal project will be gearing up within the month. All of these projects help to teach young people responsibility, time management and financial stewardship skills as well as many other great attributes of a well-rounded citizen. Another thing they create is, hopefully, educated consumers. As the holiday season rolls around and area folks are beginning to look into or buy cuts of meat to serve their families and friends during the holidays, I think it is important to acknowledge some common myths when it comes to animal production.A commonly held belief is that broiler chickens (and turkeys) are given hormones to push growth and meat production. This is not true. It is unnecessary and illegal in the United States to administer hormones to livestock that will end up in the food supply.• Broilers have been selected through standard breeding programs (mating birds showing improved meat yield and quality with others showing important trait improvements such as better health) to eat and digest feed more efficiently, improving meat. Hormones are not needed to allow broilers to meet their genetic potential to produce meat.• Growth hormone, the most likely hormone suspected to be improving growth in broilers, would need to be injected regularly into broilers. This is not practical for animals as small as chickens. Meat comes from an animal; therefore, it will have trace levels of various hormones. But hormone levels found in meat are negligible and will not affect our health. The foods we eat, particularly hormone-based proteins, are broken down in our stomachs and intestines to base amino acids. This removes any possible effects that might be attributed to the miniscule levels of hormones in meat. As a consumer, you should maintain a healthy interest in food quality and stay informed so you can make healthy food and lifestyle choices. Look closely at the available information about food issues before making up your mind on any topic related to health. Create food-buying habits based on sound information from reputable sources. Local Extension offices can provide research-based information or links to in-depth websites on food production and quality. Please remember as we embark on the Thanksgiving season another reason to be thankful: We, as a nation, have the most plentiful and safe food supply in the world.As always, you can reach your Etowah County Extension Office at 256-547-7936 or come by and see us at the Extension Office at 3200-A W. Meighan Blvd., Gadsden. You can also look us up at www.aces.edu. Have a great week!

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